Do you sometimes wake up in the morning and your eyes feel red and itchy? Or do you get red and watery eyes after a dusty shower? Allergic conditions like this are very common in our country. So, in times like these, a doctor might prescribe you a commonly used medication called Alcaftadine eye solution. Let's talk about this in a simple way today.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, when something harmful, that is, something that causes an allergy (for example, dust, pollen from flowers), enters our body, our body produces a chemical called 'histamine' to fight it. This histamine is what causes symptoms such as red, itchy, and swollen eyes.
So what this Alcaftadine medicine does is stop the action of that histamine. It's like controlling a nuisance by not allowing it to work. In medicine, we call this type of medicine an 'antihistamine' . When this is applied to the eye, the action of histamine in the eye stops, and discomfort such as redness and itching in the eye quickly decreases.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history before taking any medication. In the case of this medication, be sure to inform him/her of the following:
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you wear contact lenses | Some of the ingredients in the medicine can be absorbed by the lenses, so special instructions are needed on how to apply the medicine. |
| If you are allergic to Alcaftadine or any other medicine, food, or dye | Since it is possible to have an allergic reaction to medication, it is very important to be informed in advance for safety reasons. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | We need to be very careful when using any medication during pregnancy. Therefore, it is imperative to talk to the doctor. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | The doctor must determine whether the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of the medicine, you need to use it correctly. Let's see how to do it step by step.
1. First of all, remember that this medicine is for eye use only . Never take it by mouth.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after applying the medicine. Cleanliness is very important.
3. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before applying the medication. (We will talk more about this later).
4. Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger. This will create a small pouch between your eye and eyelid.
5. Be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eyes, fingers, or anywhere else. This is very important. Otherwise, germs can get into the bottle and cause an eye infection.
6. Put the medicine drops into the prepared bag in the amount the doctor prescribed (usually one drop).
7. Then slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink for a minute or two. This will allow the medicine to be absorbed into your eyes.
8. Use the medicine at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
Should I give this to small children?
Doctors may recommend this medicine for some conditions in children over the age of 2. But you should definitely talk to your doctor about it and follow his or her instructions exactly. We should always be extra careful when giving medicine to children.
If you think you have overdosed, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to be careful about when using medication
Be aware of symptoms.
If your symptoms do not improve after 2 or 3 days of using the medicine, or if they get worse, be sure to tell your doctor. You may need a different treatment.
Special advice for those who wear contact lenses
Do not wear contact lenses while your eyes are red. This medicine is not a treatment for contact lens-related eye irritation. If you wear soft contact lenses, wait at least 10 minutes after applying the medicine before putting them back in.
What are the possible side effects?
Most people do not experience serious side effects from this medication, but it is good to be aware of the possible side effects.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. | Stop the medication immediately and see a doctor or go to the ETU. |
| Vision changes: Blurred vision or other changes. | See a doctor immediately. |
| Worsening of eye condition: New or increased eye pain, redness, inflammation, or discharge. | Stop taking the medicine immediately and see a doctor. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Slight burning or itching of the eye: A slight discomfort felt when the medicine is applied to the eye. | This usually goes away after a while, but if it persists, tell your doctor. |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Keep the bottle cap tightly closed when not in use.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat or cold (e.g. in the refrigerator).
- Discard expired medication.
Take-Home Message
- Alcaftadine is an antihistamine eye solution used to treat allergic symptoms (redness, itching) of the eyes.
- Before using this medicine, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about any other illnesses, medications you are taking, and allergies you have.
- Keep the mouth of the medicine bottle clean, avoiding contact with your eyes or fingers. This is very important to prevent infections.
- If you wear contact lenses, wait at least 10 minutes after applying the medication before putting them back in.
- If eye pain increases, vision changes, or severe allergic symptoms occur, stop taking the medication immediately and see a doctor.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others. Do not give it to someone else without a doctor's advice, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
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